Real Marzipan
Delicatessen made of powdered almond and sugar powder
King of confectionary delicatessen. It’s the elite dessert in the best European restaurants.
Marzipan has captivated the whole world by its delicate tender flavor. This delicatessen consists of high quality sugar powder mixed with powdered almond.
The classic content of almond in marzipan is not less than 33%. It’s possible to find rare marzipan kinds, which contain 50% or even 70% of almond.
In the 14th century marzipan was considered to be the dessert for princely meal and was a precious gift for the persons of the high rank. Till the 18th century marzipan was considered to be medicine. Today marzipan is a favorite delicatessen of children and adults all over the world.
Marzipan captivates by the originality of forms and shapes. Experts know that plastic marzipan paste enables to mould various figures, even the most complicated ones. Famous confectioners use marzipan widely for the creation of confectionary masterpieces.
Nevertheless, the main advantage of marzipan is its unique delicate flavor and the preservation of useful substances, typical of almond.
Legendary marzipan
France, Germany and Italy pretend to be the Motherland of Marzipan.
Many countries claim, they originated marzipan recipe. Various legends pay attention to Italy, France and Germany.
According to one of the versions, the history of this delicatessen goes back to the beginning of the previous millennium.
According to some fables, marzipan was originated in Italy, in the year of harvest failure, when the only product, which survived during the natural disaster, was marzipan. Smart Italian people immediately learnt to make almond bread, pizza, sweet marzipan and even almond sauce macaroni.
In Spain marzipan was cooked even in the 8th century. In different Spanish cities the production of marzipan has its zest: sometimes lemon pine nuts or lemon peel are added into the sweet paste, in Andalusia marzipan is produced in bar shape with sweeties fillings.
In Russia this useful sweet delight is known from Anderson’s, Hofmann’s and Grimm brothers’ fairy tales, where marzipan symbolizes child happiness and magic.
In the tsarist Russia, marzipan was produced for more than 100 years. As a rare and original confectionary product it was affordable only for noble and prosperous people. It was presented to emperors, who, in turn, didn’t lose an opportunity to surprise foreign guests with various marzipan figures.
In the Soviet Union the secrets of “bourgeois” marzipan production were lost. Instead of that our citizens had an opportunity to indulge themselves in just a peanut bun, which cost 13 kopecks and had an abstruse name “Marzipan”.
Useful marzipan
Marzipan contains plenty of vitamins and useful minerals.
The secret of traditional marzipan recipe is in the proportion of almond and sugar, that’s why, it’s known, that besides delicate flavor, marzipan contains useful carbohydrates, vitamins В and Е, proteins, magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and iron.
That’s why, if it’s referred to healthy eating, everyday consumption of marzipan influences our health positively and struggle against the diseases of civilization, such as heart failure and disbolism.
Besides, marzipan provides our body with such mineral substances as magnesium, potassium, calcium for nerve and muscular functions.
Almond delicacy
Marzipan is the godsend to real gourmets. Why is marzipan loved all over the world? The answer to this question is simple and complicated.
Marzipan is surprisingly attractive and delicious. Beautiful marzipan hearts hide unbelievably exquisite almond fragrance.
Marzipan and wine. At first you’ll be surprised with this unusual combination, but marzipan and wine have much in common. As the sort of grape is important for high quality wine, the quality of marzipan depends on the kind of almond and its caliber.
Tender sour red wine taste harmonizes perfectly with marzipan sweetness. It’s a mere delight. Warm colors of wine and marzipan, exquisite flavor of grape bunches with almond bring the apogee of flavor harmonious combination.
Marzipan and coffee. That’s the divine combination of sweet, but not luscious almond delicacy and charming rough coffee. Many Lubeck citizens (Germany) begin their morning this way. Marzipan and coffee energy boost present the flow of positive emotions for the whole day.
Marzipan! World hit!
Nowadays more than 500 kinds of marzipan are produced in Europe and the most popular shape is considered to be the fruit one as fruits are liked by children and adults all over the world.
The European capital of marzipan is Lubeck, where these confectionary goods are produced to the old recipe, which is kept under close wraps. One of the most famous museums of marzipan was opened also there.
Lubeck confectioners boast they know almost 200 recipes of marzipan: marzipan with oranges, pineapples and rum. Real connoisseurs and lovers of marzipan know, this delicacy is produced according to the complicated recipe and it contains not less than 33% of almond. Hereby not all kinds of almond can be used. The sort of nut is of great importance, as well as it’s quality, humidity and harvest time.
In Europe and the USA the demand on marzipan rockets during holidays. When it’s one month before Christmas, German, Austrian and Hungarian street shop windows gain their traditional holiday appearance. Stores and shops public display various marzipan decorations, figures and fruits. In Lubeck Christmas is impossible without marzipan. Of course, such holidays as Easter, Halloween and St.Valentine’s Day also don’t do without marzipan.
